Shortly after releasing the sprawling modern heavy metal opus that is their new album, “The Sleeping Eye,” out now on Tee Pee Records, hardcore’s newly embraced Texas gems, IRON AGE, have announced regional US dates supporting the mighty Baroness this Winter. In addition, the band has also announced they’ll be coming to New York City (as well as various East Coast dates along the way) this October, shortly before they head to Europe w/ Deathwish recording artists Rise and Fall.

Joining Iron Age on said Baroness dates are Southern California’s psychedelic rock assault that is EARTHLESS. Known for being every other band’s favorite band, EARTHLESS features members Mario Rubalcaba (ex-Rocket From the Crypt, Hot Snakes, Blackheart Procession, Clickatat Ikatowi) on drums, Isaiah Mitchell (Nebula, Drunk Horse) on guitar and Mike Eginton (Electric Nazarene) on bass, and deliver one of the best live shows in all of modern, heavy rock today.

The Iron Age was a period where mortals desperately sought the knowledge and worth of the riddle of steel. Through God favor, thievery and honor, they roamed the lands of a prehistoric existence, hoping to solve the riddle and find salvation in its significance. If this album had been available for the dogs and curs of old, the search for the value of this riddle may not of been such an undertaking.

Hailing from the depths of a no doubt destitute quarter of Austin, this thrash quintet channels bellies full of Lone Star into a breed of aggression only found in the sun burnt south. Raw and crude riffage ushers a fierce blend of pure heavy-metal and d-beat fury with occasional fits of sludge on their sophomore release, The Sleeping Eye.

Undemanding in essence, “The Sleeping Eye” offers nothing new to metal, but contributes a powerful and hostile force all the same. “Dispossessed” and “Burden of Empire” are tracks that, while rudimentary in composition, thrive with adept execution; and inflectional, patterned vocals that retain the same brutal honesty throughout the album.

Eye flourishes with atmospheric interludes and borderline concept in its 44 minutes, and binary guitar work pairs for solos lacking no candor, and ventures beyond a utilitarian role. With a solid skinsman holding down the rhythm for the merciless bombardment, Iron Age evokes a feverish and rabid disposition to accompany any wanderer on his inexhaustible passage through the wastes.

The album reaches its finale at “The Way is Narrow” with an intro that of the likes of a great stoner-epic, and slowly disassembles itself as it falls into a droning chime before a triumphant return at minute 10, for one last reminder of the genuine power that these Texans bear.

By Mitra, “The Sleeping Eye” has carved its place in the halls of fallen heroes, and will remain a symbol of honor for all eternity.

Austin, Texas’ Iron Age have been slugging it out in hardcore and punk circles since the middle of the decade, touring the North America and abroad with such contemporary hardcore luminaries as Rise And Fall, Cold World, Fucked Up, and Trash Talk while steadily honing the riffed-out hardcore sound established on their 2006 debut Constant Struggle.

With The Sleeping Eye, Iron Age remains a modern torchbearer for the long tradition established by the crossover classics (Corrosion of Conformity’s Animosity, Crumbsuckers’ Life of Dreams, Cro-Mags’ Best Wishes, etc), but twists the NYHC-inspired thrash of their debut to create something bigger and darker, enhancing the violence of their former efforts with mammoth Lovecraftian atmopshere. Gargantuan guitar riffs conjure images of astral behemoths while unnamed terrors lurk in the unwavering, resolute rhythm section. The demon doesn’t truly emerge though until the blood-curdling, blasphemous growls of Jason Tarpey crawl to the startling forefront. Fans of the vocal madness of King Diamond or G.I.S.M.’s Sakevi can rejoice at this reverb-drenched shrieking.

The Sleeping Eye is a sprawling modern heavy metal opus that doesn’t forsake its hardcore roots, but follows them to their sonic extremities, forging a sound that honors the crossover forefathers while treading new ground in brutal atmosphere and doomy ambiance.

Fans of unconventional hardcore, ripping thrash, and heavy music in general should look out for early June dates with Sex Vid and Mind Eraser around the North East, a July-August west coast tour, and more as 2009 unfolds.